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Topic: New Queen & Queen Cells (Read 1368 times)

Have been replacing a queen in a queenless hive. I cut out all the queen cells and added the new queen. Checked in 4 days and she was still in her cage, the girls had built 4 more queen cells and capped them (in 4 days). Removed cells and going to wait 2 more days.

#1 Is it common for the workers to continue to build queen cells after you put in a new queen? If I release her will they kill her?

#2 Is it common for them to cap a queen cell in 4 days? (there could not have been eggs there, but very young larve)Thanks for the advise!Teddy

no, they are not bitting the cage. they keep it covered but are not agressive toward her. we cut all the cells out again and are going to wait another 2 days. How long can she stay in the cage without harming her?

you might consider for next time that you have 100% odds of them accepting a queen that they have raised, and very good odds that they will have chosen and nurtured a good one. you'll also save yourself money and work.

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